Viola vaginata
Maxim.
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Keita Watanabe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Keita Watanabe
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Keita Watanabe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Keita Watanabe
Summary
A perennial violet with self-pollinating flowers that never fully open. Reaches an indeterminate mature size. Thrives in light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay soils with good drainage. Prefers mildly acidic to neutral pH and tolerates semi-shade or full sun in moist soil conditions.
Description
A perennial violet with self-pollinating flowers that never fully open. Reaches an indeterminate mature size. Thrives in light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay soils with good drainage. Prefers mildly acidic to neutral pH and tolerates semi-shade or full sun in moist soil conditions.
Edible Uses
Young leaves and flower buds can be eaten raw or cooked, and thicken soups in a similar way to okra. Caution is advised if the plant produces yellow flowers, as these can cause diarrhoea when consumed in large quantities. The root is edible cooked — it is mucilaginous and well suited to use in soups. The leaves can also be brewed into a tea.
Medicinal Uses
None known.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant.
Where It Grows
Asia, Japan, Korea, Manchuria,
Cultivation
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a cool moist well-drained humus-rich soil in partial or dappled shade and protection from scorching winds. Tolerates sandstone and limestone soils but becomes chlorotic if the pH is too high. Prefers a pH between 6 and 6.5. All members of this genus have more or less edible leaves and flower buds, though those species with yellow flowers can cause diarrhoea if eaten in large quantities.
Propagation
Sow seed in autumn in a cold frame for best results; stored seed can be sown in early spring in a cold frame. Prick seedlings into individual pots once large enough to handle and plant out in summer. Divide plants in autumn or just after flowering. Larger divisions can go directly into their permanent positions, though smaller divisions do better potted up and grown on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until established, then planted out in summer or the following spring.
Other Uses
None known.
Notes
There are about 500 Viola species.
References (3)
- Bull. Acad. Imp. Sci. Saint-Petersbourg 23:324; Melanges Biol. Bull. Phys.-Math. Acad. Imp. Sci. Saint-Petersbourg 9:734. 1877 (Diagn. pl. nov. asiat.)
- Chen, B. & Qiu, Z., Consumer's Attitudes towards Edible Wild Plants, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. p 26 www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/aip/872413.pdf
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
